parasitic-if

[parasitic-if]

update on this:

i've decided to rewrite part of the prologue, both for pacing and because it doesn't make sense at the moment, so i'll be a little longer

having said that: chapter 1 is done now, so it's only this little rewrite and beta testing left to go :)

PROGRESS REPORT 1 ;

progress from May 13th - June 13th.

Hello, hello!

What do you call beta testing the beta test? Omega testing? Who knows! Anyway, I had some lovely individuals do some preliminary testing for part of the demo (shoutout to @suevi-if and @cheryl-writes for that c:), and have consequently edited those bits down.

Which means! I have half of chapter one to edit, and then I think I'll probably post that when I've got it, rather than trying to fight through the edits for chapter two as well. I'd rather give you all something than nothing :) !!

ETA for the demo...I would honestly say maybe a week and a half? If not sooner, but I will of course keep you updated.

[parasitic-if]

PROGRESS REPORT 1 ;

progress from May 13th - June 13th.

Hello, hello!

What do you call beta testing the beta test? Omega testing? Who knows! Anyway, I had some lovely individuals do some preliminary testing for part of the demo (shoutout to @suevi-if and @cheryl-writes for that c:), and have consequently edited those bits down.

Which means! I have half of chapter one to edit, and then I think I'll probably post that when I've got it, rather than trying to fight through the edits for chapter two as well. I'd rather give you all something than nothing :) !!

ETA for the demo...I would honestly say maybe a week and a half? If not sooner, but I will of course keep you updated.

[parasitic-if]

THE ENIGMA [HE/THEY]

Rowan / mid 20s / The...Neighbour?

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Young and carefree, Rowan doesn't really seem to have any concrete role. They wander around, loitering in the centre of town and helping out with odd jobs here and there, living life with a very 'go with the flow' attitude.

He's undeniably extroverted, charming and talkative, always with a sunny disposition and more than happy to chat. Rowan's presence is comforting, in the same way a cup of hot cocoa is, warming and sweet.

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Rowan is ever so slightly on the taller side for a man, standing at six foot one inch (6'1"ft), with a noticeably muscular build thanks to his regular training, spending his time split between patrolling and the training grounds. His skin is a warm toned beige, with a lot of freckles all over his face and body, there's a thin scar on his forehead.

They have hooded eyes, and little crows feet thanks to how often they smile and laugh, with short lashes and hazel irises. Their hair is often messily tousled and practically black in colour (with navy blue undertones). They keep it chin length, just about, and unruly, messy in a way that looks good somehow even without any effort.

He tends to wear bright coloured V-neck shirts, usually over the top of loose pants in a neutral colour. He often wears a lot of jewellery as well, primarily earrings and bracelets, though occasionally he'll wear a simple necklace as well.

[parasitic-if]

I will be watching your progress with great interest. ',:] (lighthearted)

WAH hi there lol >w<

don't watch too closely, or it might just watch you back c;

[parasitic-if]

THE MEDIC [SHE/HER]

Melanie (Mel) / late 20s / Head Medic (Healer)

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The daughter of the previous healer, Mel has been working with herbs and medicines for as long as she can remember. It makes her exceptionally good at her job, especially when it comes to keeping patients calm in her presence, having had plenty of practice.

She's an extrovert, though she's always quiet even as she is chatty, an occupational hazard of sorts. Mel's presence is pleasant in the same way a summer breeze is, refreshing and bright and gentle.

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Mel is ever so slightly on the shorter side for a woman, standing at five foot two (5'2"ft), with a chubby body, noticeably soft around her hips/stomach and thighs, and a little muscle in her arms. Her skin is a warm toned bronze, with just barely noticeable bags beneath her eyes.

Her eyes are downturned, with little crows feet at the corners from how often she laughs and smiles, with short lashes and brown irises. Her hair is tightly curled and a dark brown, though she has dyed the tips an equally dark green. She keeps it close cropped to to her head, only an inch or two of hair, and occasionally wears a scarf over it.

She tends to dress mostly practically, with loose linen pants and long-sleeved shirts. She tends to stick to high-necked things, like turtlenecks, and often has a thin jacket she puts over the top when leaving her medical room.

[parasitic-if]

THE GUARD [HE/HIM]

Kellen / mid 20s / Guard Captain

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A little young to be guard captain, perhaps, Kellen was thrust into the role after the untimely death of his predecessor. He takes it seriously, of course, perhaps a little too seriously at times, as though he was born to protect.

He's surprisingly extroverted, despite his often stoic and quiet exterior, and the children often pounce on him during his patrol for a few moments of play or excited chatter. Kellen's presence is reassuring, in the same way a sun-warmed rock is, constant and sturdy and comforting.

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Kellen is a little on the shorter side for a man, standing at five foot eight (5'8"ft), with a noticeably muscular build thanks to his regular training, spending his time split between patrolling and the training grounds. His skin is a warm toned olive, though more often than not it's tanned a little darker, and his nose is a little crooked and scarred from a prior break that didn't heal right.

His eyes are almond shape, though often narrowed slightly in a scowl, with average length lashes and green irises. His hair is a little wavy and a dirty blond in colour, though it gets more gold highlights with enough sun. He keeps it shoulder length with a middle parting, and often keeps it all dragged into a low ponytail or a messy braid.

He tends to wear partial leather armour everywhere, on top of a loose shirt and linen pants. If he can be be wrestled into casual attire, Kellen prefers sleeveless shirts that hug his torso, with the same loose linen pants he usually wears.

[parasitic-if]

THE PRIESTESS [SHE/THEY]

Arabella (Bella) / late 20s / Priestess

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She's been priestess since she was twelve, it's all Bella has ever known. Maybe it's safety, or maybe it's a cage, but she's never thought to look anywhere else.

She's an introvert, yet still well-liked in the village, and the go-to when it comes to problems that seem less medically inclined. Bella's presence is calming in the same way a lazy river is, slow and quiet and steady.

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Bella is a tall woman, standing at five foot ten (5'10"ft), with a willowy build from lack of exercise, as she spends the majority of her time pouring over books and scriptures on old magyk and deific powers. Her skin is a cool toned ivory, with a beauty spot beneath her right eye, and a very faint scar over the corner of her lip.

She's often referred to as 'doe-eyed', round and innocent looking, with short lashes and hazel irises. Her hair is pin straight and a dark red in colour, with a few streaks of silvery grey. She keeps it chest length with short bangs (not quite microbangs, but close), and she often has flowers tucked behind her ears. Sometimes the centres of them glow, very faintly, reacting to her connection to the deities and the Central Tree.

She tends to wear long flowing dresses with big baggy sweaters over the top, the sleeves typically hang low over her hands and she can often be found anxiously fidgeting with the hems.

[parasitic-if]

I LOVE AMNESIAC MC'S !!! I can't wait ro see what you've got cooking dear author >:3

aww, thank you !! i should, hypothetically, have the first RO intro post out tomorrow, so you can find out a little more then :)

and, since you were so lovely, you can also have my favourite line (so far) from chapter one:

'great. so your hallucination came with in-built forest camouflage. now you could play hide and seek with your own paranoia, just what you had always wanted.'

[parasitic-if]

okay!

Results are in, and it's looking like the vast majority of people want the full thing at a later date.

Depending on how timelines go, considering the 23% or so that wanted crumbs now, I may consider a third option and release the prologue and chapter one as a bundle to speed things up (which feels like an appropriate compromise.

We'll see though! Thanks to all those who voted :)

Progress Report 0 ;

progress from (around) April 2nd - Now.

Thought my first 'official' post should probably be letting everyone know the state of affairs at the moment. That and I wanted to ask for some opinions :)

In terms of posts, I'm working on the RO introduction posts now, so they should be coming out soon. Of course, whilst you wait, you're welcome to send in asks anyway lol.

The Parasitic demo itself is, I would say, just over half finished. The prologue is done completely, edits and all, and I've got the first draft of chapter 1 done, so it'll need to be edited down and such before I get properly started on chapter 2.

Which brings me to the poll! Would you like me to put the prologue out now, so that you've at least got something (it'll only be 3.5k - 4k words), or would you rather wait for the full two chapters that will come after the prologue?

[parasitic-if]

Progress Report 0 ;

progress from (around) April 2nd - Now.

Thought my first 'official' post should probably be letting everyone know the state of affairs at the moment. That and I wanted to ask for some opinions :)

In terms of posts, I'm working on the RO introduction posts now, so they should be coming out soon. Of course, whilst you wait, you're welcome to send in asks anyway lol.

The Parasitic demo itself is, I would say, just over half finished. The prologue is done completely, edits and all, and I've got the first draft of chapter 1 done, so it'll need to be edited down and such before I get properly started on chapter 2.

Which brings me to the poll! Would you like me to put the prologue out now, so that you've at least got something (it'll only be 3.5k - 4k words), or would you rather wait for the full two chapters that will come after the prologue?

[parasitic-if]

Parasitic.

[DEMO TBA]

You awaken in a swamp…or is it the woods? You don't know. You don't know where you are, you don't know what you are.

A human, or something else entirely?

A vessel, or a monster in your own right?

Whatever you are, whoever you are, you've picked a hell of a time to wake up in The Wardens. Mysterious deaths, missing dead bodies, and a supposedly incurable disease that's slowly killing the forest around you.

Not to mention that man (?), the one that only you can see, that only you can hear, who keeps trying to tell you to get away whilst you can.

Recover your memories soon, my little lamb, before paradise crumbles and the deities abandon you all..

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Play as an amnesiac in completely unfamiliar territory...you're pretty sure. Make friends, make enemies, develop a crush, maybe even play detective, the choices are yours to make.

Just...maybe make sure you jog that memory a little, lest you become the next ashen body to end up face down in the swamp (again, in your case).

Choose Learn your name, sexuality, and gender, as well as certain aspects of your appearance as you navigate your surroundings and interact with the people in them.

[characters of note below the cut]

Important Encounters ;

The Annoyance - he / they

He's always there, just behind your shoulder, hovering like a concerned parent (or maybe a mosquito you can't quite swat away). On a good day between the two of you, you just about remember how to walk and talk, yet despite that he can pretty accurately guide you away from perceived trouble. Will you choose to listen to him, or will you disregard him as a paranoid hallucination?

The Medic - she / her [RO]

She's patient and gentle, everything you could ever ask for from a healer, and surprisingly in tune with your needs even despite being strangers. Still there's a lingering concern as more bodies vanish, as more trees begin to wilt, a pressure mounting on the Medic to fix it somehow. Will you find a way to ease her burden a little, or will you become yet another problem adding weight to her shoulders?

The Guard - he / him [RO]

He's quiet and stoic, but not cruel, patrolling the town with an unrelenting vigilance that serves to put many people at ease with how consistent he is. His task is to ensure the safety of the townsfolk, so he regards you with suspicion wherever you go, the timing of your appearance an unfortunate coincidence. Will you prove his suspicions unfounded, or will you give him reason to kick you out like he's wanted from the start?

The Priestess - she / they [RO]

Sheltered and a little timid, it's the Priestess' job to monitor the Central Tree, the life of the surrounding area, making sure the deities stay peaceful. She is the first one called, right after the medic, about your markings, in the hopes that she could discern what they were. Her quietness is a little uncomfortable at times, sure, but she's perceptive and kind (if a little awkward). Will you let her help as best they can, or will you listen to the voices saying that there's more to her than meets the eye?

The Enigma - they / he [RO]

Your neighbour whilst you stay in The Wardens, though you rarely ever see him at home. He's charming and playful, helping out here and there, and entertaining the kids with simple magic tricks. Yet...you don't really know much beyond their first name, in fact you're not even sure their whole appearance is natural, now that you look closer. Will you uncover their secrets, or will you let him fade from your mind in a distant whisper?

The...what is that? [who] is that...?

Don't worry, little lamb, you'll find out soon enough. It's watching, after all, and you make for such good entertainment. It can't help but show its appreciation.

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[NOTE ; all romance options are gender-locked for my own sanity when coding / writing, however they are all bi / pan, so it won't effect MC]

OTHER PROJECT ; @tag-if PERSONAL / ART ; @notacalico